Vehicle Strikes House, Ruptures Gas Main

Kathy Welsh

PEARL RIVER – A vehicle struck a house at 2 Sickletown Rd. in Pearl River on Friday.

Orangetown Police photo

Orangetown Police arrived on the scene and reported that an SUV had struck the first level of the home and the vehicle was hanging into the garage area of the residence, said officials.

A fire erupted under the vehicle. Both the officer and the homeowner attempted to extinguish the fire. Officials said the vehicle had struck a gas main into the residence and fed the fire which quickly spread throughout the residence.

All four residents of the home were evacuated.

Investigation alleges the driver of the vehicle, who police identified as Jude Donnelly, age 33 of Blauvelt, was no longer in the vehicle and had fled the scene.

Donnelly was interviewed by police and is initially charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident and numerous violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.